Presentation Tips

Tips for Presenting with Maximum Impact (with 46 videos)

Before stepping out on stage, you should take a look at the important tips shared below. You might think of this list as a last minute checklist. Browse through it and learn a bit more with every presentation you give. The only way to gain experience is by trying.

"I reduced my presentation from 60 to 3 sheets. The result is amazing! I've had a top week with super presentations and very enthousiastic participants!"

Your presentation goal

The goal: What is the purpose of your presentation? Here are two questions to help you identify the goal:
What do you want your audience to do with the information you share, or
What part of your story do you want them to remember?

What's in it for me?

The WII4Me: Reward and engage your audience. Start your presentation in a way that immediately appeals to your audience. They need to know the answer when they think, "What's in it for me?" By doing this you immediately exert a “pull” on your audience.

Connect with your audience

The connection: After the WII4Me, you should engage with your audience. Ask questions and interact with them.

The content of your story

The content: Think about your message. On average, your audience will remember only two things from your presentation. As the person giving the presentation, you decide what those things will be.

Emotionally involve your audience

Your audience will not act unless they are emotionally involved with what you’re saying. The easiest way to prompt a response is by showing them your passion and energy. These can absolutely be transmitted to your audience.

The 5 S's

SSSSS: When you step out on the stage, you need to be relaxed.
Use the 5 S's:
&check; Step,
&check; Stop,
&check; Stand,
&check; Silence,
&check; Speak.
By stepping on stage in a powerful and calm manner, you will appear authoritative and at ease within the first few seconds. That interval also gives you and your audience time to get accustomed to one another.

Should you speak quickly or slowly?

Maintain your normal speed, even if you only have a short amount of time.

Silences create an impact

Take breaks. By simply taking a break, about 3 to 7 seconds in length, you can make an impact.

It doesn't matter what you say...

Sounds frustrating, I know. But here’s why it’s true:
Only 7% of what you say has an impact.
38% of your effect comes from intonation (The way you speak: loudly or softly, high or low - and especially silences)
55% of your effect is a result of nonverbal behavior and body language

If you don’t believe these statistics, that's fine; just as long as you remember that these are the three aspects of communication that matter.

Be yourself

Be yourself: it’s the only way to win your audience’s trust. Don’t try to copy someone else, because your audience will know.

Anxiety?

Do you experience anxiety? Don't worry. What you're feeling is exactly the same biological, chemical and electric reaction as occurs with concentration. You're intensely concentrated in that moment.

Breathing

Be sure to maintain proper breathing. Anxiety causes accelerated respiration, which will limit your ability to present. You can prevent this by:
Taking more frequent breaks (to catch your breath), or
By placing your hand just below your belly button and breathing towards your hand. This helps you expand your space for air downward, encouraging you to breathe from your diaphragm.

Hear, See and Feel

There are three types of people:
&check; Hearers;
&check; Seers;
&check; Feelers.
For the biggest possible impact, adjust your movements and speech to address each of these groups in turn.

What to do with your hands?

Let them hang next to your body and don't think about what to do with them. Your body language will naturally arrange them for you. Avoid putting your hands in your pockets or behind your back.

Make contact with your audience.

Maintain eye contact with the entire audience.
Is the room really large?
Mentally divide the room into nine sections:Left side, the middle and right side
andUp front, in the middle, to the back.

Be sure to make contact with the people in every block. The back section should feel just as included as the front.

Finish on time

Learn how to wrap-up on time. There is nothing more annoying than a presentation that exceeds the time limit. Even worse: If you go on for too long, your presentation might get cut short, which would mean you never got to your Activating Point.

Applause

You decide when and if you want a round of applause. You can signal your audience by concluding your message on a strong note and using your body language to indicate the presentation has ended. Enjoy the subsequent round of applause. It’s a wonderful thing.